Context: Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry will launch nationwide celebrations to commemorate ten years of successful implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA):
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA) launched on June 9, 2016, PMSMA provides free, comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women — particularly those in their second and third trimesters — at designated government health facilities on the 9th of every month.
- The programme aims to ensure early risk detection, timely medical intervention, and safer pregnancies for every woman in India, regardless of where she lives.
- The service package of PMSMA includes clinical examinations, laboratory investigations (blood and urine tests), ultrasonography, medicines, and counselling on nutrition, birth planning, and safe pregnancy practices.
- India achieved a 43 points reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio, bringing it down from 130 to 87 maternal deaths per lakh live births between 2014–16 and 2022–24.
Key features include:
- Minimum one comprehensive and quality antenatal checkup by Obstetrician & Gynaecologist or Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).
- Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) / Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) trained doctor during the second or third trimester.
- Mobilizing the pregnant women for specialist Antenatal care services at designated public health facilities.
- High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) identification by screening for 25 high risk factors and management at an early stage.
- Linking of HRPs to the nearest first referral unit (FRU) for a safe delivery.
- Empanelment of private service providers for PMSMA service provision.
- Service package includes essential blood & urine investigations and ultrasonography.
- Counselling on nutrition, appropriate birth planning and complication readiness for each pregnant woman.
Who Can Access PMSMA Services:
- Pregnant women in their second trimester (13–27 weeks) or third trimester (28 to till delivery).
- Indian citizens residing in India, willing to visit designated government health facilities on the 9th of every month.
- High-risk pregnancy cases receive priority attention and follow-up care.
- Women who are dropouts from regular antenatal care are actively encouraged to participate.
Working Alongside Other Maternal Health Initiatives:
PMSMA does not operate in isolation. It forms part of a larger ecosystem of maternal and child health programmes implemented by the Government.
- The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) promotes institutional deliveries. Since 2014-15, it has benefited more than 11.96 crore women as of March 2025.
- The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) provides free healthcare services to pregnant women and newborns. Since 2014-15, more than 18.05 crore beneficiaries receiving support under the scheme.
- The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) strengthens quality maternal healthcare through a network of over 99,290 facilities.
- Other initiatives such as Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya) address maternal nutrition, maternity benefits, and quality of care in labour rooms.